Modern Middle East Conflict Ms. Hunt RMS IB Middle School
2014-2015
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Sources of Modern Middle East Conflict Religious Differences
Different religions Sunnis (leader is a member of the Muslim
community) vs. Shias (Direct descendant of Muhammad) Ethnic Groups
Persians (Iran) vs. Arabs (Iraq) Nationalism Some ethnic groups
wish for an independent nation instead of a multi- ethnic one
Kurds- mountain people from Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon,
Syria, and Turkey (Multiple violent struggles for independence)
Fundamentalism Belief in following your religion directly, as
outline by holy text Theocratic Government- religion based Example-
1979,Shia leader Khomeini took over Iran, ended all westernization
and instilled fundamentalist beliefs over the government and
country
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Creation of Israel Palestine- Arab region lived on by Jewish
people for over 2000 years Controlled by Great Britain, following
WWII, Jewish refugees fled Europe for safety, many immigrated to
Palestine 1947- United Nations involved to end disagreement with
traditional Arab population and recent Jewish immigrants Result of
UN Involvement- Palestine divides Part 1 Arab Part 2 Jewish 1948-
Israel becomes independent state for Jewish people (Gaza Strip and
the West Bank) ArabIsraeli Wars Arab nations declared war, they did
not agree with the creation of the Jewish state Israel wins the
first of multiple wars (1948, 1967, and 1973)
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Arab- Israeli Wars Over 700,000 Palestinian Arab refugees fled
to other countries during the wars Palestinian Liberation
Organization (PLO)- goal est. an independent Palestinian State
Throughout wars, constant shifts of territory between Israelis and
Palestinians Peace Attempts 1979- Egypt makes peace with Israel
1993- Palestinian and Israel peace agreement signed PLO recognizes
Israel as a state Israel gave territory to the Palestinians
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Iran- Iraq War Root Causes of Conflict- OPEC- Organization of
Petroleum Exporting Countries Made up of Arabian Peninsula
countries who wished to control the global economy of oil prices
and shipment, 1960 Long lasting dispute over who controlled oil
rich territory Revolution in Iran- People upset with the Shah
(king) Looked to new leader- Khomeini (religious leader) Shah
overthrown Changed to Islamic Conservative Laws Iran-Iraq War 1980-
Iraq invaded Iran (Led by Saddam Hussein) 8 year war Over 1 million
people died 1988- cease fire agreement signed (written by the
United Nations) No clear winner
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Persian Gulf War 1990 Iraq invades Kuwait for the oil supply
Saddam Hussein (Iraqs leader) led the invasion United Nations-
trade embargo to stop Iraq from profiting off of oil World
Involvement January 16 th, 1991- multi- nation missile attack began
on Iraq US military titled the operation Desert Storm to help
Kuwait February 24 th - Ground attack begins Lasted 100 hours
Result- Iraq surrendered Saddams forces left Kuwait Both Iraq and
Kuwait suffered much destruction from the attacks
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Current Event Article Analysis Step 1- Choose an article from
one of the following websites CNN BBC Step 2- Pick an article that
you think highlights current events in the Middle East Step 3-
Write a summary that includes Who? What? Where? When? Why?
Connection to IB
